Closure for bottles, jars, or the like.



No. 724,147. 7 PATENTEDMAR. 31, 1903.

' A. L. WEISSENTHANNER. CLOSURE FOR BOTTLES, JARS, 0R THELIKE.

APPLIGTION FILED APE. 23, 1901.

N0 MODEIS. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

myz t .ll'l I I v z @fg. 6Z2 I v. {'23 ii 0 H Jllll HIV"; a? l PATENTED' MAR. 31, 1903. A. L. WEISSENTHANNER.

CLOSUREv FOR BOTTLES, JARS, OR -THE LIKE; APPLIIOATION run) an. 23, 1901. N0 MODEL. 2 sHBnTs-snn'r 2.

Wihwooeo UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ALFRED L. WEISSENTI-IANNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 724,147, dated March 31, 1903.

Application filed April 23, 1901. .Serial No. 57,140. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, ALFRED L. WEI'ssE'N-' THANNER, a resident of New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Closures for Bottles, Jars,or the Like, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification. I

Heretofore in hermetically closing receptacles by compressing a packing material between opposing surfaces on the receptacle and its cover the packing material has been used in comparatively large bulk. Efforts to perfect closures of this type have tended toward an increase in the bulk on the theory that the greater the quantity of packing ma terial placed under compression the more impervious the joint to the penetration of air.

In closures of the general character under consideration as most commonly constructed heretofore the relative arrangement of the packing-band and opposing surfaces on the cover and receptacle is such that the main body of the compressed packing-band (commonly made of rubber) is constantly exerting its expansive force in direct opposition to the pressure which holds the cover in place, tending to lift the cover and break the hermetic seal. This is particularly dangerous in vacuum-closureswhere atmospheric pressurealone is relied upon to compress the packing-band and hold the cover in place. Furthermore, in many common forms of closures the packing-band is exposed to the vacuum within the receptacle, the suction eifect of the vacuum tending to draw the packing-band upwardly and inwardly, and to lift the cover in opposition to the pressure intended to hold it in place. My present invention, however, is based upon the theory that a perfect and practically permanent hermetic seal can be effected by a very small quantity or bulk of packing materiaL-theoretically, just enough to form a highly-compressed narrow film-like layer between the opposing surfaces of the cover and receptacle. Practically, however, it would be tedious and expensive to place and hold this minute theoretic quantity in position to be compressed between the opposing surfaces, so to avoid the difficulties more packing material is employed than is theoretically required, a small part thereof being compressed to a greater degree than other the packing material.

may-be formed, one at the upper and the parts to form'the film-like layer depended upon to do the sealing; but even this practical quantity of packing material may be much less than the quantity or bulk commonly believed to be required. At different positions around the receptacle different parts of the material may belocally compressed and formed into the film-like layer. For example, at one side of the receptacle said film-like layer may be formed at the lower edge of the material, while at the opposite side it may be formed at the upperedge, or the posit-ion of the film-like part may alternate from the upper to the lower edge at different parts throughout. the length of Two film-like parts other at the lower edge of the packing, and they may continue throughout the whole or only a part of the length of the packing material, or the narrow film-like part may be disposed intermediate of the edges. Therefore, as will be apparent, my invention is not limited to the location of the film-like part or layer with reference to the body of the material, nor to thenumber of said film-like parts present at any point along the packing material. An essential of this part ofmyin ventiorr is that there must be at least one highly-compressed narrow film-like layer between the opposing surfaces at each and every point all around the mouth of the receptacle. Where the pressure of the atmosphere is alone depended upon for the sealing force, as in vacuum-closures, it is essential also that the film-like layer or layers be small in area as compared to the whole effective area of the closure in order that the film-like layer may be highly compressed by the available force. It is also important that the portion of the opposing surfaces between which the film-like layer or layers are formed sustain the greater part of the sealing force acting on the cover, so that the sealing force may be concentrated as much as possible upon the narrow film-like layer or layers and that the main body of the packing may not have the ICO receptacle and cover are so formed that they converge to a narrow lineal area of contact or approximate contact, and the packingband is so proportioned relatively to said surfaces that a part of itis compressed between said converging surfaces to a greater degree than other parts to form a thin film-like part or knife-like edge.

In the preferred practical embodiment of my invention one part, either the mouth of the receptacle or the cover, is provided with an exterior vertical wall and a shoulder at the base of the wall, forming an angular recess about said part. The other part is provided with an interior wall suitably flared at its edge and closely fitted to said exterior wall of the first part, so as to form two sets of converging surfaces adapted to come in approximate contact, one set being formed by one extremity of the flared portion of the interior wall and the exterior wall and the other part by the other extremity of the flared portion and the shoulder. It follows from this construction that when the receptacle is exhausted a part or parts of a packing of suitable material and dimensions placed around said exterior wall will be compressed to a greater degree than other parts to form a thin knife-like edge or film-like layer between at least one of the sets of converging surfaces at every point around thejar. This local compression of the packing is rendered possible by reason of the fact that the material forming the film-like layer or edge by reason of its thinness cannot flow from between the surfaces, and thus communicate the pressure applied thereto to the adjacent body of the packing. The flared portion of the interior wall is preferably of small dimensions, so that a packing-band of Very small sectional area may be used, and in order that the packing may invariably be cally compressed to one or more thin filmlike edges, notwithstanding the irregularities always present in cheaply-made receptacles, the cover is made of a suitable pliable or yielding material, as tin-plate or similar thin sheet metal, which will enable the cover even under atmospheric pressure to adjust itself to the irregularities in the form of the mouth of the receptacle. The packingband being very small as compared with the bands ordinarily used and the sealing force being locally concentrated upon the film-like part or parts, when made of elastic material it exerts a proportionately reduced aggregate expansive force against the cover, this result being contributed to by the fact that the packing is compressed at its thin edge or edges beyond its elastic limit. The packing-band, moreover, does not exert all its expansive force in direct opposition to the atmospheric or other pressure which maintains the seal, butin directions deviating from a direct line to a direction at right angles to said line, so that the danger from that source of the seal being broken is practically eliminated. Furthermore, as the thin edge of the packing presents little if any surface to the vacuum between the closely fitting or contacting surfaces of the cover and receptacle the suction effect of the vacuum on the packing tending to lift the cover is practically reduced to nil. By reason of the small size of the packing-band and of the manner in which it is compressed care does not have to be exercised in applying the same to remove all twists, as the presence thereof does not impair the efliciency of the seal. This is an important advantage over packing bands or rings of the size commonly used heretofore.

The invention, which is capable of a variety of embodiments, will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are views, partlyin section and partly in elevation, illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 showing the cover just about to be slipped down over the mouth of the receptacle, Fig. 2 showing the position of the packing band or ring and cover when the latter is held in place by atmospheric pressure alone, Fig. 3 showing the position of the parts when a securing-band is employed in addition to atmospheric pressure for holding the cover in place, and Fig. 4 illustrating the manner in which the cover may be readily removed by the use of a suitable tool or implement. Figs. 5 and 6 are views, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a slightly different embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 showing the cover partly slipped down over the mouth ofthe receptacle and Fig. 6 showing the position of the parts with the cover held in place by a securing-band in addition to atmospheric pressure. Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a further modification. In endeavoring to clearly illustrate the construction and operation Figs. 1 to 7 have been made to show the parts in exaggerated sizes and out of proportion. Fig. 8 is a full-sized view similar to Fig. 1, showing as nearly as possible the exact dimensions of what has been demonstrated to be a practically successful embodiment of my invention. Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are exaggerated detail sectional views at different points through the packing-band of Fig. 8 in its compressed condition.

Referring to the drawings in detail and at first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4., 8, 9, 10, and 11, A represents a receptacle of anysuitable form and made of any suitable material, such as glass or earthenware, having an external angular recess a about its open end or mouth.

Recess a is formed by the vertical wall I) and the horizontal wall or shoulder 19, the latter being in this instance the upper surface of a flange 0 around the exterior surface of the receptacle.

D is a cover made of thin sheet metal and more or less yielding, having around its outer edge a depending flange (Z. Said flange at its IOC upper part closely fits, preferably, in substantial contact with the vertical wall I) of the receptacle and is curled outwardly and upwardly at its lower extremity for adding rigidity to the cover, but principally for the purpose of affording an outwardly-inclined shoulder or flared surface between the points d and d for acting against the packing-band. The curvature of said surface between the points d and d is in this instance an arc of ninety degrees, with a radius equal to the distance between the point (i and the vertical wall b of the recess a. The yielding properties of the cover, as above indicated, are of great importance in that the cover is thus enabled under the pressure applied for holding it in place to automatically adapt itself to irregularities in the form of the receptacles which, owing to shrinking and warping on cooling of the material (such as glass or earthenware) of which they are made, are seldom, if ever, perfectly true. Substantially uniform local compression of the film-like part or parts of the packing ring or band throughout its entire length is thus secured. The cover may thus also adapt itself to irregularities in the packing band or rings which are seldom, if ever, of uniform thickness throughout.

6 is the packing-band,which in this instance is in the form of a ring square in cross-section and assumed to be of non-porous elastic material. When stretched into place, this ring engages about the vertical wall vb of the mouth of the receptacle and rests upon the horizontal wall 1). Its thickness being less than the length of the radius (the distance between point d and vertical wall 6) of the arc of curvature of the bearing-surface on flange cl, the lowermost point 01 on flange cl will fall outside of the packing -band, or,- in other words, the diameter or width of the cover at point d is greater than the outer diameter or width of the packing ring or band when the same is in place. It follows from thisconstruction that the packing band will be squeezed out and locally compressed into thin film-like or knife edges 00 and 11 Fig. 2, be

tween the walls I) and b of the receptacle and.

the curved flaring surface 61 d of the cover, which thus finds its seat upon a thin film-like edge of the packing, which edge, though very much compressed, is small in area, so that there is little active force tending to lift the cover past the upper less highly compressed portion of the packing in such manner as to break the seal. Owing to local inaccuracy in the receptacle or the cover or the packingband, one or all, it may happen that at one pointon the packing-band only the knife-edge so is formed, (see Fig. 10,) while at another point (see Fig. 11) only the knife-edge is formed. Usually they are both present; but one is always sure to be with the parts properly constructed. The packing-band is preferably made of an elastic rubber composition and is of such normal size as to be considerably stretched or elongated when placed about the external vertical wall, as the desired minute sectional area of the packingband is easily secured in this way. Good results may, however, be obtained by using a packing-band of any suitable compressible non-porous material, which may be plastic or non-plastic, elastic or non-elastic. Care should be taken not to have any portion of the packing compressed between opposing surfaces either of which is angular in outline or sharp, so as to cut the packing-ring, as in this event the severed portions of the packing-band tend to draw away from the cutting-surface, and thus break the seal. 7

In applying the closure after the packingband is put in place the cover is placed over the month of the receptacle, resting lightly against the packing-band. The air which remains in the receptacle above the goods contained therein is exhausted by placing the receptacle in a vessel in which a vacuum is subsequently formed, the air in the receptacle being drawn out between the contiguous surfaces of the cover, receptacle, and packing-band. After the exhaustion in the vessel, and hence in the receptacle, is complete air is admitted to the vessel, and the atmospheric pressure acting immediately upon the cover D forces it tightly into place and hermetically seals the receptacle before any air can reenter the same. Any known method of extracting the air from the receptacle may, however, be employed. As shown in Fig. 2, the atmospheric pressure exerted through the cover compresses the packing-band into substantially triangular shape in cross-section, with locally-compressed film-like or knife edges at top or bottom.

It is often desirable to employ means in addition to atmospheric pressure for further compressing the packing-baud and securing the cover in place. For this purpose. a securing-band F, having an inturned flangef around its upper edge engaging over the curled-up part f of the flange on the cover, may be employed. This secu ring-band is applied under pressure, and its lower edge is bent under flange c on the receptacle in a well-known manner, further compressing the packing-band, as shown in Fig. 3. In opening the closure the securing-band is removed when such a band is employed and the cover pried up at one side by inserting the point of any suitable implement G between the lower edge of flange d and the horizontal surface b l on the receptacle, this insertion being facilitated by the flaring opening g, formed by the upward curl of the flange. In this manner the cover is pried up at one side, the cover yielding and the packing-band partaking of part of the movement until it is lifted over the edge of the mouth, when it is easily removed. 7 I

The construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and (3 is the same as that in Figs. 1 to 4,.with the exception that the inclined surface between the points d and don the flange of the cover 1 instead of being curved is straight at an angle of forty-five degrees to the vertical wall I) of the recess a.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modification which is, in effect, the equivalent and a reversal of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the angular recess being formed about the edge of the cover, which has a depressed central part adapted to enter the mouth of the receptacle and forming the vertical wall It and horizontal wall 70 of said recess. In this case the inclined flared surface m, which acts to compress the packing-band 11 into substantially triangular shape in cross-section, is located around the inner edge of the mouth of the receptacle.

As will be clearly understood, modifications may be made within wide limits without-departing from the spirit and principle of the invention.

I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to employ covers having an inclined surface acting in conjunction with a flat wide packing-band or a packing-band circular in cross-section, in which construction the elasticity of the packing-band ofiers but little opposition to the maintenance of the closure. In these old closures, however, it is the pressure which the elasticity of the packing-band exerts against the surface of the receptacle and cover which is mostly relied upon to render the seal effective and maintain the same, whereas according to the present invention the atmospheric or other pressure acts upon or through the cover to tightly compress the packing-band between the converging surfaces, so as to form one or more film-like parts or thin edges, which receive the greater part of the force acting on the cover, practically no reliance being placed upon the inherent elastic power of the packing-band for rendering the seal effective and for maintaining the same.

What I claim is 1. In a closure for sealing jars by atmospheric pressure the combination of a receptacle and cover having opposing surfaces and a packing-band located between said surfaces, said surfaces and band being so shaped and proportioned that a part of the band is compressed between said surfaces to a greater degree than other parts to form a narrow filmlike layer or edge having contact areas with said surfaces which are minute relatively to the whole effective area of the closure.

2. In a closure for sealing jars by atmos pheric pressure, the combination of a receptacle and a cover having opposing converging surfaces, and a packing-band of minute sectional area located between said surfaces, said surfaces and band being so proportioned that a part of the band resists the greater part of the sealing force and is compressed to a greater degree than other parts to form a narrow filmlike layer or edge having contact areas with said surfaces which are minute relative to the whole effective area of the closures.

3. In a closure for sealing jars by atmospheric pressure, the combination of a receptacle, a cover therefor 0t yielding material,

one of said parts having an annular recess,

and the other part having an annular shoulder closely fitted to said recess, and a packingband of relatively minute sectional area located in said recess, said parts being so proportioned that a part of the band is compressed to a greater degree than other parts to form a film-like layer or edge which resists the greater part of the downward pressure of the cover.

4. In a closure for sealing jars by atmospheric pressure the combination of a receptacle, a cover therefor of yielding material, one of said parts having an annular recess, and the other part having an annular portion closely fitted to said recess, and a packingband of relatively minu e sectional area located in said recess, said parts being so proportioned that parts of said band are compressed to a greater degree than other parts to form thin, film-like edges against two walls of the recess.

5. In a closure for sealing jars by atmospheric pressure, the combination of a receptacle, a cover therefor, one of said parts having an exterior vertical wall with a shoulder at the base thereof forming an exterior annular recess and the other part having an interior vertical wall closely fitted to said exterior vertical wall and flared at its edge, and a packing-band of relatively minute sectional area located around said exterior vertical Wall and against said shoulder, said parts being so proportioned that parts of said band are compressed to a greater degree than other parts by the flared interior vertical wall to form thin, film-like edges against said exterior wall and said shoulder.

6. The combination with a receptacle having an angular recess thereabont below its month, said recess having approximately vertical and horizontal walls, of a cover having a depending flange around its outer edge, said flange being adapted to closely fit about and in contact with theupper part of the vertical wall of the recess and being curved outwardly around its lower edge to form a flared opening or mouth on the cover, and a packingband resting in the angle of the recess and of less normal thickness than the radius of the arc of the outward curvature of the lower part of the flange on the cover.

7. The combination with a receptacle having an angular recess thereabout below its month, said recess having approximately vertical and horizontal walls, of a cover of thin sheet metal having a depending flange around its outer edge, said flange being adapted to closely fit the upper part of the vertical wall of the recess and being curved outwardly around its lower edge to form a flared opening or mouth on the cover, and a packing band resting in the angle of the recess and of less normal thickness than the radius of the arc of the outward curvature of the lower part of the flange on the cover. p

8. In a closure for sealing jars by atmospheric pressure, the combination of a receptacle, a cover of yielding material therefor, one of said parts having an exterior wall with a shoulder at the base thereof forming an exterior annular recess and the other part having an interior vertical wall closely fitted to said exterior wall and slightly flared at its sions than the radial and vertical dimensions of the flared portion of said interior wall.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two snbscrib- 2o ing witnesses.

ALFRED L. WEISSENTHANNER.

Witnesses GEO. ALEXANDER, TIMBROOK MoTT. 

